T08 · Insecure Dependencies
Note
- Location
- SKILL.md:83
- Finding
- Unpinned Third-Party Dependency Installation## Vulnerability Details **File Location**: `SKILL.md`, lines 83-87 **Vulnerability Type**: Unpinned third-party dependency **Risk Level**: Low ### Vulnerable Code ```markdown ### Dependency Installation ```bash pip install python-pptx ``` ``` ### Technical Analysis The installation command retrieves the latest version of `python-pptx` and its transitive dependencies from pip's configured package index without enforcing an audited version or verifying package hashes. Consequently, the dependency graph can change after the Skill has been reviewed. This is a supply-chain hardening weakness rather than evidence that the named package is currently malicious. Exploitation would require compromise of a resolved package, its release process, an upstream dependency, the configured package index, or the package-resolution channel. ### Attack Path 1. An attacker compromises a package release or another dependency source used by pip. 2. The attacker publishes a malicious version that satisfies the unrestricted installation request. 3. A user follows the documented `pip install python-pptx` instruction. 4. Pip resolves and installs the attacker-controlled release or transitive dependency. 5. Malicious package code executes during installation or when `scripts/export_ppt.py` imports the package. ### Impact Assessment Malicious dependency code would execute with the privileges of the user running pip or the exporter. It could access files and environment variables available to that user, alter generated presentations, modify the active Python environment, or communicate over the network where permitted. If installation is performed with administrative privileges, the potential scope could extend to system-wide Python packages and other resources accessible to that privileged account. The repository audit found no direct network retrieval, credential collection, persistence, shell execution, embedded malicious payload, obf ...[truncated 65 chars]
- Remediation
- ## Remediation Suggestions - Pin `python-pptx` and every transitive dependency to versions that have been reviewed and tested. - Store the dependency set in a lock file or a fully pinned requirements file. - Require package hashes, for example by installing with `pip install --require-hashes -r requirements.txt`. - Generate and retain hashes from a trusted package index, and review dependency updates before changing the lock file. - Install dependencies inside an isolated virtual environment using a non-privileged account. - Avoid running pip with administrator or root privileges. - Add automated dependency vulnerability and provenance checks to the release process.